Chapter 60
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Rice + hemp = bioplastic
It was decided that the production of Gifu rice would be carried out throughout Owari and Mino from the following year. With this decision, Shizuko was finally able to start her research on bio-plastics using hemp. Hemp alone can be used as a raw material for bio-plastics. However, the safest and most readily available raw materials during the Sengoku period, according to Shizuko’s knowledge, are a mixture of rice and hemp stalks (ogara) for bio-plastic resin.
The biggest problem with this method is that it involves military supplies, specifically rice. In modern Japan, there is no issue with using surplus rice from stockpiles to produce hemp-based bioplastic resin on a regular basis. It can even be considered advantageous. However, during the Sengoku period, the amount of rice directly determined the size of the maintainable army, so there was little room to spare for development. But that changed with the introduction of Gifu rice. By adding just a little extra effort to the existing techniques, Gifu rice, which yields the same harvest as pesticide-sprayed rice, allows for the necessary resources to be allocated towards the development of bioplastic resin.
As for hemp, it was easy. If we cultivate it throughout Owari and Mino, we can obtain a sufficient amount of hemp stalks (ogara). Dedicated land is used for year-round cultivation, but if we concentrate cultivation on the land used by farmers during winter, it won’t overlap with the busy farming season. Shizuko, who was considering this, suddenly remembered the national nutrition improvement plan. After thinking for a while, she had an idea. To obtain a stable supply of hemp stalks (ogara) and provide hemp seeds as a staple food for the farmers, a method that would benefit both parties.
First, Shizuko promotes the cultivation of hemp throughout the country. Naturally, that alone does not benefit the farmers. So she focuses her target on the stalks of hemp. Shizuko approaches the farmers and offers them a deal: “If you bring hemp stalks to the Oda family, we will process them into fibers for free.” The process of extracting fibers from hemp has been simplified thanks to the Schlichten peeling machine. However, ordinary farmers cannot use this machine and need to use traditional methods to extract fibers. The distribution is divided into 60% for the farmers, 40% for the Oda family, and one-fourth of the Oda family’s share is dedicated to the shrine. In other words, as long as the farmers deliver the hemp stalks, they just have to wait for the fibers to be delivered. Shizuko doesn’t need the fibers herself, as she primarily needs the hemp stalks. Moreover, she owns vast hemp fields, so she has an excess of hemp fibers.
Furthermore, Shizuko said to the farmers that they should also offer hemp thread to the shrine.
“Hemp seeds are a gift from the gods and buddhas, so it is important to eat them with gratitude and not leave any behind. It is recommended for adults to eat two seeds per day, and for children to eat one seed per day.”
Hemp seeds are said to be a natural supplement because they contain a balanced amount of nutrients. Just consuming them regularly can improve bodily functions. When hemp seeds are pressed using low-pressure extraction, hemp seed oil is obtained. And when the oil is pressed out, the protein content in hemp seeds increases. Hemp seed powder, which is made from this, becomes a natural protein. Nobunaga, of course, as well as Nohime, Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada), Mori Yoshinari, Hideyoshi, Takigawa Kazumasu, Niwa (Niwa Nagahide), Shibata, Sassa, the Takenaka brothers (Hanbei and Kyusaku), Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and Aya around Shizuko, all incorporated hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, and hemp seed powder into their regular diet. Of course, Shizuko also includes hemp seeds in her regular diet to ensure she doesn’t lack any necessary nutrients. Although it is limited to women, hemp seed oil was also used for skincare purposes.
Although hemp seeds are included in the eight grains, farmers do not consume them regularly, but only occasionally. However, Shizuko realized that it would not be accepted if she suddenly told the farmers to make it a staple food. So, she deceived them by saying that hemp seeds were a “gift from the gods and Buddhas” and that eating them would be a way to show gratitude to the deities. This method of persuasion was effective in the Sengoku period, where faith was much stronger compared to modern times.
As expected, the farmers readily accepted this story and began giving their children two grains of hemp per day. If this continues for several years, the second phase of the national nutrition improvement plan, which aims to address malnutrition, will be completed. With a stable supply of oats and the prospect of increased rice production, all problems will finally be resolved.
“Well… whether bioplastics can truly be reproduced even in this era, only God knows.”
If hemp-based bioplastics are developed, it would be possible to use resin products for daily necessities, leading to an improvement in the standard of living. In the transportation sector, where significant effects can be expected, one example is replacing wooden crates that are primarily used for transporting goods. To make wooden crates, strong timber is first required. However, transporting the felled logs, which serve as the raw material for timber, incurs significant costs, and processing them into timber requires a lengthy drying process. Once the timber is sawn, it cannot be easily modified. Making wooden crates requires manual labor from multiple craftsmen, and the labor costs and time required until completion are not insignificant. With a long production period and high labor costs, the price of wooden crates would reflect that, making them less accessible for general use.
On the other hand, plastic is a synthetic resin, which can be formed into various shapes more easily than wood, using molds and templates. Poly bags, which are commonly used today, are also synthetic resins derived from petroleum. Despite being thin enough to see through, they have a tensile strength comparable to thick fabric, are resistant to water and chemicals, and have the ability to prevent liquid penetration. By forming them into thicker shapes, it is also possible to create containers that can easily transport liquids, such as poly buckets. If these are combined to create sealed containers with lids, it becomes possible to transport items such as explosives and perishable food, which were previously impossible or required special handling, at a lower cost.
In the Sengoku period, the main means of land transportation was the packhorse, which used wooden wheels. Wooden wheels were heavy and rigid, transmitting the unevenness of the road surface directly as vibrations, and the high friction also placed a heavy burden on the oxen or horses pulling them. This problem can be solved by creating a substitute for rubber tires using synthetic resin and factice. By using factice to create a substitute for rubber tubes and using a resin outer skin to cover them, it is possible to create something relatively similar to modern rubber tires. Once the outer part of the tire is made, the rim and spokes can be made of bamboo, making it possible to manufacture bicycles and rickshaws. While bicycles have various challenges, if relatively simple structured rickshaws can be made, transportation costs can be further reduced compared to using large carts or stagecoaches.
Hemp-based bioplastics, although weaker in strength compared to petroleum-based plastics, have the advantage of being able to be ground up and buried in the soil when no longer needed, where they can be decomposed by microorganisms. They maintain the antibacterial properties of hemp, have higher flexural strength than polypropylene, and have comparable heat resistance to polypropylene (approximately 100 degrees Celsius). In the Sengoku period, it would have been considered a dream material. Additionally, even if the technology is stolen, it would not be a problem because the materials used are hemp stalks and rice. Particularly, the consumption of rice would be a blow to other countries.
“If I can achieve results in six months… I wonder if it will be in time for the invasion of Ise.”
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Rice + hemp = bioplastic
It was decided that the production of Gifu rice would be carried out throughout Owari and Mino from the following year. With this decision, Shizuko was finally able to start her research on bio-plastics using hemp. Hemp alone can be used as a raw material for bio-plastics. However, the safest and most readily available raw materials during the Sengoku period, according to Shizuko’s knowledge, are a mixture of rice and hemp stalks (ogara) for bio-plastic resin.
The biggest problem with this method is that it involves military supplies, specifically rice. In modern Japan, there is no issue with using surplus rice from stockpiles to produce hemp-based bioplastic resin on a regular basis. It can even be considered advantageous. However, during the Sengoku period, the amount of rice directly determined the size of the maintainable army, so there was little room to spare for development. But that changed with the introduction of Gifu rice. By adding just a little extra effort to the existing techniques, Gifu rice, which yields the same harvest as pesticide-sprayed rice, allows for the necessary resources to be allocated towards the development of bioplastic resin.
As for hemp, it was easy. If we cultivate it throughout Owari and Mino, we can obtain a sufficient amount of hemp stalks (ogara). Dedicated land is used for year-round cultivation, but if we concentrate cultivation on the land used by farmers during winter, it won’t overlap with the busy farming season. Shizuko, who was considering this, suddenly remembered the national nutrition improvement plan. After thinking for a while, she had an idea. To obtain a stable supply of hemp stalks (ogara) and provide hemp seeds as a staple food for the farmers, a method that would benefit both parties.
First, Shizuko promotes the cultivation of hemp throughout the country. Naturally, that alone does not benefit the farmers. So she focuses her target on the stalks of hemp. Shizuko approaches the farmers and offers them a deal: “If you bring hemp stalks to the Oda family, we will process them into fibers for free.” The process of extracting fibers from hemp has been simplified thanks to the Schlichten peeling machine. However, ordinary farmers cannot use this machine and need to use traditional methods to extract fibers. The distribution is divided into 60% for the farmers, 40% for the Oda family, and one-fourth of the Oda family’s share is dedicated to the shrine. In other words, as long as the farmers deliver the hemp stalks, they just have to wait for the fibers to be delivered. Shizuko doesn’t need the fibers herself, as she primarily needs the hemp stalks. Moreover, she owns vast hemp fields, so she has an excess of hemp fibers.
Furthermore, Shizuko said to the farmers that they should also offer hemp thread to the shrine.
“Hemp seeds are a gift from the gods and buddhas, so it is important to eat them with gratitude and not leave any behind. It is recommended for adults to eat two seeds per day, and for children to eat one seed per day.”
Hemp seeds are said to be a natural supplement because they contain a balanced amount of nutrients. Just consuming them regularly can improve bodily functions. When hemp seeds are pressed using low-pressure extraction, hemp seed oil is obtained. And when the oil is pressed out, the protein content in hemp seeds increases. Hemp seed powder, which is made from this, becomes a natural protein. Nobunaga, of course, as well as Nohime, Kimyomaru (Oda Nobutada), Mori Yoshinari, Hideyoshi, Takigawa Kazumasu, Niwa (Niwa Nagahide), Shibata, Sassa, the Takenaka brothers (Hanbei and Kyusaku), Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and Aya around Shizuko, all incorporated hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, and hemp seed powder into their regular diet. Of course, Shizuko also includes hemp seeds in her regular diet to ensure she doesn’t lack any necessary nutrients. Although it is limited to women, hemp seed oil was also used for skincare purposes.
Although hemp seeds are included in the eight grains, farmers do not consume them regularly, but only occasionally. However, Shizuko realized that it would not be accepted if she suddenly told the farmers to make it a staple food. So, she deceived them by saying that hemp seeds were a “gift from the gods and Buddhas” and that eating them would be a way to show gratitude to the deities. This method of persuasion was effective in the Sengoku period, where faith was much stronger compared to modern times.
As expected, the farmers readily accepted this story and began giving their children two grains of hemp per day. If this continues for several years, the second phase of the national nutrition improvement plan, which aims to address malnutrition, will be completed. With a stable supply of oats and the prospect of increased rice production, all problems will finally be resolved.
“Well… whether bioplastics can truly be reproduced even in this era, only God knows.”
If hemp-based bioplastics are developed, it would be possible to use resin products for daily necessities, leading to an improvement in the standard of living. In the transportation sector, where significant effects can be expected, one example is replacing wooden crates that are primarily used for transporting goods. To make wooden crates, strong timber is first required. However, transporting the felled logs, which serve as the raw material for timber, incurs significant costs, and processing them into timber requires a lengthy drying process. Once the timber is sawn, it cannot be easily modified. Making wooden crates requires manual labor from multiple craftsmen, and the labor costs and time required until completion are not insignificant. With a long production period and high labor costs, the price of wooden crates would reflect that, making them less accessible for general use.
On the other hand, plastic is a synthetic resin, which can be formed into various shapes more easily than wood, using molds and templates. Poly bags, which are commonly used today, are also synthetic resins derived from petroleum. Despite being thin enough to see through, they have a tensile strength comparable to thick fabric, are resistant to water and chemicals, and have the ability to prevent liquid penetration. By forming them into thicker shapes, it is also possible to create containers that can easily transport liquids, such as poly buckets. If these are combined to create sealed containers with lids, it becomes possible to transport items such as explosives and perishable food, which were previously impossible or required special handling, at a lower cost.
In the Sengoku period, the main means of land transportation was the packhorse, which used wooden wheels. Wooden wheels were heavy and rigid, transmitting the unevenness of the road surface directly as vibrations, and the high friction also placed a heavy burden on the oxen or horses pulling them. This problem can be solved by creating a substitute for rubber tires using synthetic resin and factice. By using factice to create a substitute for rubber tubes and using a resin outer skin to cover them, it is possible to create something relatively similar to modern rubber tires. Once the outer part of the tire is made, the rim and spokes can be made of bamboo, making it possible to manufacture bicycles and rickshaws. While bicycles have various challenges, if relatively simple structured rickshaws can be made, transportation costs can be further reduced compared to using large carts or stagecoaches.
Hemp-based bioplastics, although weaker in strength compared to petroleum-based plastics, have the advantage of being able to be ground up and buried in the soil when no longer needed, where they can be decomposed by microorganisms. They maintain the antibacterial properties of hemp, have higher flexural strength than polypropylene, and have comparable heat resistance to polypropylene (approximately 100 degrees Celsius). In the Sengoku period, it would have been considered a dream material. Additionally, even if the technology is stolen, it would not be a problem because the materials used are hemp stalks and rice. Particularly, the consumption of rice would be a blow to other countries.
“If I can achieve results in six months… I wonder if it will be in time for the invasion of Ise.”
Rice + hemp = bioplasticIt was decided that the production of Gifu rice would be carried out throughout Owari and Mino from the following year. With this decision, Shizuko was finally able to start her research on bio-plastics using hemp. Hemp alone can be used as a raw material for bio-plastics. However, the safest and most readily available raw materials during the Sengoku period, according to Shizuko's knowledge, are a mixture of rice and hemp stalks ogara for bio-plastic resin.The biggest problem with this method is that it involves military supplies, specifically rice. In modern Japan, there is no issue with using surplus rice from stockpiles to produce hemp-based bioplastic resin on a regular basis. It can even be considered advantageous. However, during the Sengoku period, the amount of rice directly determined the size of the maintainable army, so there was little room to spare for development. But that changed with the introduction of Gifu rice. By adding just a little extra effort to the existing techniques, Gifu rice, which yields the same harvest as pesticide-sprayed rice, allows for the necessary resources to be allocated towards the development of bioplastic resin.As for hemp, it was easy. If we cultivate it throughout Owari and Mino, we can obtain a sufficient amount of hemp stalks ogara. Dedicated land is used for year-round cultivation, but if we concentrate cultivation on the land used by farmers during winter, it won't overlap with the busy farming season. Shizuko, who was considering this, suddenly remembered the national nutrition improvement plan. After thinking for a while, she had an idea. To obtain a stable supply of hemp stalks ogara and provide hemp seeds as a staple food for the farmers, a method that would benefit both parties.First, Shizuko promotes the cultivation of hemp throughout the country. Naturally, that alone does not benefit the farmers. So she focuses her target on the stalks of hemp. Shizuko approaches the farmers and offers them a deal: If you bring hemp stalks to the Oda family, we will process them into fibers for free. The process of extracting fibers from hemp has been simplified thanks to the Schlichten peeling machine. However, ordinary farmers cannot use this machine and need to use traditional methods to extract fibers. The distribution is divided into 60% for the farmers, 40% for the Oda family, and one-fourth of the Oda family's share is dedicated to the shrine. In other words, as long as the farmers deliver the hemp stalks, they just have to wait for the fibers to be delivered. Shizuko doesn't need the fibers herself, as she primarily needs the hemp stalks. Moreover, she owns vast hemp fields, so she has an excess of hemp fibers.Furthermore, Shizuko said to the farmers that they should also offer hemp thread to the shrine.Hemp seeds are a gift from the gods and buddhas, so it is important to eat them with gratitude and not leave any behind. It is recommended for adults to eat two seeds per day, and for children to eat one seed per day.Hemp seeds are said to be a natural supplement because they contain a balanced amount of nutrients. Just consuming them regularly can improve bodily functions. When hemp seeds are pressed using low-pressure extraction, hemp seed oil is obtained. And when the oil is pressed out, the protein content in hemp seeds increases. Hemp seed powder, which is made from this, becomes a natural protein. Nobunaga, of course, as well as Nohime, Kimyomaru Oda Nobutada, Mori Yoshinari, Hideyoshi, Takigawa Kazumasu, Niwa Niwa Nagahide, Shibata, Sassa, the Takenaka brothers Hanbei and Kyusaku, Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and Aya around Shizuko, all incorporated hemp seeds, hemp seed oil, and hemp seed powder into their regular diet. Of course, Shizuko also includes hemp seeds in her regular diet to ensure she doesn't lack any necessary nutrients. Although it is limited to women, hemp seed oil was also used for skincare purposes.Although hemp seeds are included in the eight grains, farmers do not consume them regularly, but only occasionally. However, Shizuko realized that it would not be accepted if she suddenly told the farmers to make it a staple food. So, she deceived them by saying that hemp seeds were a gift from the gods and Buddhas and that eating them would be a way to show gratitude to the deities. This method of persuasion was effective in the Sengoku period, where faith was much stronger compared to modern times.As expected, the farmers readily accepted this story and began giving their children two grains of hemp per day. If this continues for several years, the second phase of the national nutrition improvement plan, which aims to address malnutrition, will be completed. With a stable supply of oats and the prospect of increased rice production, all problems will finally be resolved.Well whether bioplastics can truly be reproduced even in this era, only God knows.If hemp-based bioplastics are developed, it would be possible to use resin products for daily necessities, leading to an improvement in the standard of living. In the transportation sector, where significant effects can be expected, one example is replacing wooden crates that are primarily used for transporting goods. To make wooden crates, strong timber is first required. However, transporting the felled logs, which serve as the raw material for timber, incurs significant costs, and processing them into timber requires a lengthy drying process. Once the timber is sawn, it cannot be easily modified. Making wooden crates requires manual labor from multiple craftsmen, and the labor costs and time required until completion are not insignificant. With a long production period and high labor costs, the price of wooden crates would reflect that, making them less accessible for general use.On the other hand, plastic is a synthetic resin, which can be formed into various shapes more easily than wood, using molds and templates. Poly bags, which are commonly used today, are also synthetic resins derived from petroleum. Despite being thin enough to see through, they have a tensile strength comparable to thick fabric, are resistant to water and chemicals, and have the ability to prevent liquid penetration. By forming them into thicker shapes, it is also possible to create containers that can easily transport liquids, such as poly buckets. If these are combined to create sealed containers with lids, it becomes possible to transport items such as explosives and perishable food, which were previously impossible or required special handling, at a lower cost.In the Sengoku period, the main means of land transportation was the packhorse, which used wooden wheels. Wooden wheels were heavy and rigid, transmitting the unevenness of the road surface directly as vibrations, and the high friction also placed a heavy burden on the oxen or horses pulling them. This problem can be solved by creating a substitute for rubber tires using synthetic resin and factice. By using factice to create a substitute for rubber tubes and using a resin outer skin to cover them, it is possible to create something relatively similar to modern rubber tires. Once the outer part of the tire is made, the rim and spokes can be made of bamboo, making it possible to manufacture bicycles and rickshaws. While bicycles have various challenges, if relatively simple structured rickshaws can be made, transportation costs can be further reduced compared to using large carts or stagecoaches.Hemp-based bioplastics, although weaker in strength compared to petroleum-based plastics, have the advantage of being able to be ground up and buried in the soil when no longer needed, where they can be decomposed by microorganisms. They maintain the antibacterial properties of hemp, have higher flexural strength than polypropylene, and have comparable heat resistance to polypropylene approximately 100 degrees Celsius. In the Sengoku period, it would have been considered a dream material. Additionally, even if the technology is stolen, it would not be a problem because the materials used are hemp stalks and rice. Particularly, the consumption of rice would be a blow to other countries.If I can achieve results in six months I wonder if it will be in time for the invasion of Ise.
